Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
A flavorful and comforting stuffed pepper casserole combining sautéed bell peppers, onions, and seasoned ground beef with tomato sauce, cooked rice, and melted mozzarella cheese baked to bubbly perfection.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Vegetables
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 medium Green Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 medium Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 large Yellow Onion, sliced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand shredded
Pantry Items and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 6 ounces Tomato Paste
- 14 ounces Diced Tomatoes
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 2 cups White Rice, cooked
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning (divided)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the sliced red, green, and yellow bell peppers along with the sliced onion. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Sauté the vegetables for about 3 to 5 minutes until they soften.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart using a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat and season the meat with additional salt and pepper.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook together with the beef and vegetables for 1 to 2 minutes to release the garlic’s aroma.
- Add Tomato Components: Mix in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and beef broth thoroughly so that the flavors meld with the beef and vegetables.
- Combine with Rice and Season: Add the cooked white rice into the skillet. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Stir well until evenly mixed.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish. Smooth the top so it’s even, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the surface.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and the sides become hot and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, allow it to cool slightly, and enjoy your hearty stuffed pepper casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to reduce fat content.
- For a vegetarian version, replace beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Use pre-cooked or leftover rice to save time.
- Adjust seasoning and cheese quantity based on personal preference for saltiness and cheesiness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, bell pepper casserole, ground beef casserole, baked stuffed peppers, easy dinner recipes